Fluid disinfection device and method

ABSTRACT

A system for disinfecting a fluid containing contaminants (chemical and biological) includes a plurality of photocatalytic particles secured to a substrate which contacts the fluid to be disinfected. An agitator for imparting translation and/or vibrational movement is in operational communication with the substrate to increase the contact of photocatalytic particles with contaminants in the fluid. The system can include a source of photons having a wavelength corresponding to band gap energy of the photocatalytic particles to illuminate the substrate. Although the invention can be used to disinfect air in air supply registers of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, or in air ducts, the disinfection of any fluid (including water) is contemplated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/801,026, filed 16 Jul. 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/403,260, filed 23 Feb. 2012, which applicationis a continuation of PCT International Application serial numberPCT/US2011/063637, filed 7 Dec. 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/423,931, filed 16 Dec. 2010, each ofwhich is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are several conventional methods for the cleanup and mitigation offluid contaminants and more specifically indoor air contaminants,including, HEPA filters, electrostatic filters, biochemical filters, UVlight, and ozonation. Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is a relatively newmethod that has been shown to be effective for disinfection ofmicroorganisms and detoxification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).The process involves the use of a photocatalyst in the presence of lightof appropriate wavelength to oxidize organic compounds andmicroorganisms in fluids.

PCO involves the use of a photocatalyst such as Titanium Oxide (TiO₂)for the destruction of hydrocarbons and microorganisms in fluids. TiO₂is a semiconductor photocatalyst with room-temperature band gap energyof about 3.2 eV. When this material is irradiated with photons havingwavelengths less than about 385 nm (UV), the band gap energy is exceededand electrons are generated through promotion from the valence band tothe conduction band which results in the generation of electron holes(h+). The resulting highly-reactive electron-hole pairs have lifetimesin the space-charge region of the photocatalyst that enablesparticipation m chemical reactions. The most widely postulated chemicalreactions are:OH−+h+OH (hydroxyl radical)  (1)O_(2+e−→)O₂  (2)

Hydroxyl radicals and super-oxides ions are highly reactive species thatcan readily oxidize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorbed oncatalyst surfaces. They can also kill and oxidize adsorbed bioaerosols.The process is a form of heterogeneous photocatalysts, or morespecifically PCO.

Several attributes of PCO make it a strong candidate for indoor airquality systems. Pollutants, particularly VOCs, are preferentiallyadsorbed on photocatalytic surfaces and oxidized primarily to carbondioxide (CO2). Thus, rather than simply changing the phase andconcentrating the contaminant, the absolute toxicity of the treated airstream is reduced, allowing the photocatalytic reactor to operate as aself-cleaning filter.

Photocatalytic reactors may be integrated into new and existing heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems due to their modulardesign, room temperature operation, and generally negligible pressuredrop. PCO reactors also feature low power consumption, potentially longservice life, and low maintenance requirements. These attributescontribute to the potential of PCO technology to be an effective processfor removing and destroying low level pollutants in indoor air,including bacteria, viruses and fungi.

However, pollutant molecules or microbes need to come in contact withthe catalytic surface as these electron-hole pairs are generated for anyoxidation to occur. The probability of that happening in the fluid flowstream is very low. Current designs have a low efficiency in contaminantelimination since many contaminants in the fluid bypass or occur outsidethe reaction sites and survive on in the fluid. The source of theproblem, as discovered by the inventor, is lack of contaminant contactwith the catalyst reaction sites. This invention provides such animproved and useful method to bring these contaminants in contact withthe catalyst reaction sites.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In a first illustrative embodiment the invention includes a device andsystem for decontaminating a fluid. The invention of this embodiment hasa predetermined path of fluid travel with at least one substrate, suchas a woven or non-woven fibrous media formed in a porous lattice,positioned therein. The substrate further comprises at least onephotocatalytic particle disposed on the surface thereof for generatingelectron-hole pairs. At least one of the photocatalytic particle isselected from the group consisting of metal oxides (doped and/orintrinsic) including TiO₂, BhO₃, WQ₃, ZnO, FeO, SnO and Si02 and metaloxide alloys. A photon source is positioned to contact the substratewith photons having a wavelength corresponding to at least a band gapenergy of the at least one photocatalytic particle. Preferably, thesubstrate has at least one fixed loci relative to the path of fluidtravel. At least one portion of the substrate is movable between a firstposition and at least a second position within the conduit.

The device also includes an agitator adapted to cause movement of thesubstrate between the first position and at least second position byimparting internal translation or vibration of the substrate.Translation is achieved in one embodiment by imparting a varyingelectric and/or magnetic field around metallic particles on thesubstrate (other than the fixed loci).

Alternatively, the agitator imparts external translation or vibration ofthe substrate. External movement can be caused by creating or agitating(increasing turbulence of) the movement of the fluid contacting thesubstrate. The agitator can also be an ultrasonic wave generationdevice, capable of creating an ultrasonic wave which approximates thenatural frequency of the substrate, in communication with substrate.

In yet another embodiment the system and device for decontaminating afluid includes a predetermined path of fluid travel with at least onesubstrate, movable between a first position and at least a secondposition within the conduit, positioned therein. At least onephotocatalytic particle is disposed on the substrate for generatingelectron-hole pairs in the presence of light and an agitator is adaptedto cause movement of the substrate between a first position and at leasta second position. Here, the substrate is preferably of a solidconstruction selected from the group consisting of woven fibrous media,non-woven fibrous media, corrugated structures, a planar structure havea plurality of channels with a predefined cross-section and asubstantially tubular container.

As with previous embodiments, the agitator imparts internal translationor vibration of the substrate. For example; where the substrate furthercomprises a metallic particle on a portion thereof, the agitator impartsa varying electrical field around the substrate. The agitator can alsoimpart external translation or vibration of the substrate. For example,the agitator can be a fan or blower which creates movement of the fluidinto contact with the substrate. A device can be placed between the fanand substrate to increase turbulence. The agitator can also be anultrasonic wave generation device, capable of creating an ultrasonicwave which approximates the natural frequency of the substrate, incommunication with the substrate.

In still another embodiment, the device for decontaminating a fluidincludes a frame having a plurality of substrates coated with aplurality of photocatalytic particles for generating electron-holepairs. At least one of the substrates coated with a plurality ofphotocatalytic particles has at least one fixed loci relative to theframe. Moreover, the at least one of the substrates coated with aplurality of photocatalytic particles has at least one fixed locirelative to the frame is movable between a first position and at least asecond position. The plurality of substrates coated with a plurality ofphotocatalytic particles is comprised of a fibrous media arranged in aporous lattice and can be of woven fibrous media and non-woven fibrousmedia.

At least one of the substrates coated with a plurality of photocatalyticparticles has at least one unconstrained end. In one embodiment, the atleast one unconstrained end of the substrate coated with a plurality ofphotocatalytic particles is movable between a first position and atleast a second position within the frame. Alternatively, the at leastone unconstrained end of the substrate coated with a plurality ofphotocatalytic particles is movable between a first position and atleast a second position and extends outwardly from the frame.Preferably, the at least one of the plurality of substrates coated witha plurality of photocatalytic particles is in operational communicationwith a means for imparting translational or vibrational motion to the atleast one substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made tothe following detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an illustrative embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first variation of the fibers of thefirst embodiment, which form a filter;

FIG. 3A is a detailed view of the photocatalytic particle bearing fibersof one embodiment of the invention, which are constrained at one end andfree at an opposing end;

FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic view showing the movement of thephotocatalytic particle bearing fibers of FIG. 3A, which are constrainedat one end and free at an opposing end;

FIG. 3C is a diagrammatic view showing the movement of thephotocatalytic particle bearing fibers of an alternate embodiment of theinvention, which are constrained at both ends and free there between;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the photon source, the filtercontaining the photocatalytic bearing fibers, and the agitator, in theform of a fan, in series within an air conditioning unit;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the photon source, the filtercontaining the photocatalytic bearing fibers, and the agitator, in theform of an ultrasonic wave generator, in series within an airconditioning unit;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the photon source, the filtercontaining the photocatalytic bearing fibers, and the agitator, in theform of an electric current controller in communication with the filter,in series within an air conditioning unit;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of theinvention wherein the substrate is a photocatalytic particle coatedchanneled structure;

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the substrate of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention whereinthe photocatalytic particle coated substrate is a tubular container; and

FIG. 10 is a section view of the tubular container of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 andincludes a system for the disinfection of a fluid, generally denotedwith numeral 100. FIG. 1 represents a typical HVAC system for a buildingincorporating the photocatalytic disinfection system of the presentinvention. In most systems, a fan (or blower), not shown, causes airwithin the building to be drawn into a duct system and passed overheating or cooling coils before being returned to the building. Here,system 100 includes substrate 120 in optical communication with photonsource 140 placed in the path of travel (no) of the fluid to bedisinfected. Path of travel 110 is preferably defined by a conduit suchas the ductwork of air handling system

Substrate 120 further includes a plurality of photocatalytic particles(not shown) on its surface. The photocatalytic particles are comprisedof metal oxides and/or metal oxide alloys. Although any photocatalyticparticle capable of generating electron-hole pairs in the presence oflight can be used, the photocatalytic particles are generally selectedfrom the group consisting of TiO₂, BhO₃, WQ₃, ZnO, FeO, SnO and SiO₂. Ina preferred embodiment, the photocatalytic particles are doped orintrinsic TiO₂.

The photocatalytic particles generate electron-hole pairs when contactedwith photons from photon source 140. At least a portion of the photonsemitted by photon source 140 have an energy at least equal to the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst. In a preferred embodiment, photonsource 140 delivers low energy photons of the UV-A and lower energyportion of the UV-B spectrum. A UV wavelength between about 300 and 400nm is preferred. Photon sources of 14 W can be used, emittingapproximately 1.5 W of UV-radiation, at about 350 nm.

In another variation, photon source 140 may be either emitted ortransmitted by one or more fiber optic elements within a network offibers. These fibers may be electrically excited in order to provide thephotons or the photons can be reflected by means of a fiber opticsextended light source. The fiber optics arrangement can bring photons oflight by way reflecting and refracting photons through a guided path.These photons are then directed at the photocatalytic particles. Thelight source may be naturally occurring or an artificial form of light.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, substrate 120 is a filter 122comprising fibers 124 such as commonly found in air conditioningfilters. Preferably the fibers are composed of cotton, wool, polymers,metals, metal oxides, or carbon fibers and may be woven or non-woven toform a porous lattice. In this embodiment, the fibers function as thesurface upon which the photocatalytic particles are attached. Filter 122comprising fibers 124 is positioned within the fluid path of travelallowing the fluid to move over fibers 124 as it passes through filter122. This allows contaminants in the fluid to contact the photocatalyticparticles. A single filter 122 can be used or a series of filters can bestacked in series (as shown in FIGS. 4-6 below).

It is also possible to arrange fibers 124 to allow the movement thereofwith respect to filter 122. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, fiber 124 ofone embodiment is constrained by filter 122 at fixed loci 124 a whereasfree end 124 b remains unconstrained. When agitated, either externallyor internally, fiber 124 moves from first position (A) to secondposition (B). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3C, fiber 124 can have morethan one fixed loci 124 a with unconstrained portion 124 b therebetween. So long as fiber 124 is made of a sufficiently pliablematerial, agitation will cause unconstrained portion 124 b to movebetween first position A and second position B. This “waving” motionincreases the amount of contaminants within the passing fluid which comein contact with photocatalytic particles 126. Fibers 124 can be arrangedin a woven/non-woven porous lattice within filter 122 or can extendoutward from filter 122 into the fluid path of travel.

Motion, e.g. translation or vibration, can be imparted on the fibers byan agitation device through external or internal means. Althoughspecific examples are provided below and FIGS. 4 through 5, agitator 130can be any device which imparts translational or vibrational movement ofthe fiber(s) from a first position to a second position. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 4, agitator 130 is the fan or blowerwhich moves air through an air conditioning system. Sufficiently pliablefibers will “blow in the breeze” as the fluid to be disinfected passesover and through filter 122. Additionally, a mechanical means such as asubstantially rigid grid or frame (not shown) can be placed between thefan (agitator 130) and filter 122 to increase the turbulence of thefluid as it passes through filter 122. This increased turbulence willproduce an increased waving motion of the fibers

Filter 122 can also be adapted to rotate within path of travel 110.Rotational movement can be imparted upon filter 122 either throughexternal mechanical means, such as by a dedicated motor. Rotationalmovement can also be imparted by the resistance of the fluid passingthrough filter 122.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, agitator 130 can be an ultrasonicwave generator disposed in communication with the fibers of the filter.The ultrasonic waves resonate with the natural frequency of the fiberscausing translation or vibration thereof.

Motion can also be imparted on fibers 124 through electrical means. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6, at least some of the fibers areelectrically conductive, such as metal fibers, electrically conductingpolymer fibers, electrically conducting carbon fibers or carbonnanotubes. If non-conductive fibers are used, a portion thereof can becoated with a conductive material such as aluminum. In use, agitator 130includes a controller which applies a varying electrical pulse to fibersthrough wire 131 connected to filter 122 to cause vibrational movementtherein.

In still another alternative embodiment, motion is imparted on fibers124 through magnetic forces. In this embodiment, at least some of thefibers, such as metal fibers, comprise a magnetic element. Ifnon-magnetic fibers are used, a portion thereof can be coated with amagnetic material. In use, a varying electrical field is created aroundthe fibers causing translational movement therein.

Another embodiment of the invention includes a plurality ofphotocatalytic particles (not shown) disposed on the surface ofsubstrate 160 in optical communication with photon source 140 placed inthe path of travel (110) of the fluid to be disinfected. The schematicrepresentation of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 7.

In this illustrative embodiment, light from photon source 140 isdirected toward substrate 160 which includes photocatalyst coated planarsubstrate elements 162 and photocatalyst covered corrugated substrateelements 164. A layer of photocatalyst particles is secured to at leastone side of substrate elements 162 and 164. A photocatalyst layer can bedisposed on one or both sides of substrate elements 162 and 164. Thespace between the substrate elements provides channels with sufficientspace for the fluid to pass there through with a minimal drop inpressure.

Alternatively, substrate 160 can comprise channels of any cross-sectionand is not limited to corrugated embodiments. Substrate 160 can also beformed of fabric such as cotton, wool, vinyl, or silk material.Substrate 160 can also include materials that are toxic tomicro-organisms such as silver.

As with the embodiments discussed above, an agitator (not shown) impartstranslational or vibrational movement to substrate 160. Substrate 160 ofthis embodiment functions as an object upon which the photocatalystparticles can be secured. Photocatalyst particles secured onto thesurfaces can then react with impinging photons to generate electron holepairs. Motion imparted onto these surfaces helps to bring the electronhole pairs in contact with contaminants in the fluid. Examples of suchagitation include, but are not limited to, displacement of substrate 160within a predefined range of motion caused by the movement of the fluidto be disinfected, a varying magnetic field created around substrate 160wherein at least a portion thereof comprises magnetic elements andpassing an electrical current through substrate 160 wherein at least aportion thereof comprises electrically conductive elements.

In another variation, substrate 160 is disposed in the form a container165. Container 165 may be tubular as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Container165 may further contain lattice of holes 167 for fluid circulation.

It will be seen that the advantages set forth above, and those madeapparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained andsince certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatters contained in the foregoing description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

For example; although the examples shown above illustrative a fluiddisinfection device for use in a standard air condition system, Thepresent invention can be applied to, but is not limited to, airfiltration, detoxification and disinfection for users in a building,room or a confined space, such as an airplane or a car. The inventionmay also be used for disinfection of other fluids, such as water. Thesystem may be applied to material disinfection as well, where thephotocatalytic particles are coated onto the materials.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall there between.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for decontaminating a fluid,comprising: a filter comprising a fibrous media comprising a fiber,wherein the fiber defines a cross-sectional area; wherein the fiber isdisposed on the filter and defines a first end and a second end, whereinthe first end is fixed to the filter and the second end is freelymovable within a path of fluid travel proximal the filter; an agitatoroperable to oscillate the second end of the fiber relative to thefilter, between a first position and a second position during deviceoperation, wherein the filter is fixed, wherein the fiber is sweptthrough an area greater than the cross-sectional area in a directionnormal to the path of fluid travel.
 2. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a metallic particle disposed on a portion of the fiber distalthe first end.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the agitator imparts avarying electric field around the fiber that applies an electrostaticforce to the metallic particle to oscillate the fiber between the firstand second positions.
 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising: aphotocatalytic particle disposed on the fiber between the first andsecond ends, and a source of photons having a wavelength correspondingto at least a band gap energy of the photocatalytic particle, andarranged to illuminate the photocatalytic particle during deviceoperation.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the metallic particlecomprises the photocatalytic particle.
 6. The system of claim 4, whereina material of the photocatalytic particle is selected from the groupconsisting of metal oxides and metal oxide alloys.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the material of the photocatalytic particle is selectedfrom the group consisting of TiO₂, Bi₂O₃, WO₃, ZnO, FeO, SnO and SiO₂.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the material of the photocatalyticparticle is selected from the group consisting of doped TiO₂ particlesand intrinsic TiO₂ particles.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein: thefiber further comprises a magnetic particle on a portion thereof distalthe first end; and the agitator imparts a varying magnetic field aroundthe fiber that applies an electromagnetic force to the magnetic particleto oscillate the fiber between the first and second positions.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the agitator comprises a fan that createsmovement of fluid into contact with the fiber.
 11. The system of claim1, wherein the fiber defines a natural frequency, and wherein theagitator comprises an ultrasonic wave generation device capable ofcreating an ultrasonic wave which approximates the natural frequency ofthe fiber, in acoustic communication with the fiber.
 12. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the fibrous media further comprises a second fiberhaving a corresponding first end fixed to the filter, a correspondingsecond end fixed to the filter, and a flexible portion therebetweenfreely movable within the path of fluid travel between a correspondingfirst position and a corresponding second position by the agitator. 13.A system for decontaminating a fluid, comprising: a filter comprising afibrous media comprising a fiber, wherein the fiber defines across-sectional area; wherein the fiber is disposed on the filter anddefines a first end, a second end, and a flexible portion therebetween,wherein the first end is fixed to the filter, the second end is fixed tothe filter, and the flexible portion therebetween is freely movablewithin a path of fluid travel proximal the filter; an agitator operableto oscillate the flexible portion of the fiber relative to the filterbetween a first position and a second position during device operation,wherein the filter is fixed, wherein the fiber is swept through an areagreater than the cross-sectional area in a direction normal to the pathof fluid travel.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising ametallic particle disposed on a portion of the fiber distal the firstend.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the agitator imparts a varyingelectric field around the fiber that applies an electrostatic force tothe metallic particle to oscillate the fiber between the first andsecond positions.
 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising: aphotocatalytic particle disposed on the fiber between the first andsecond ends, and a source of photons having a wavelength correspondingto at least a band gap energy of the photocatalytic particle, andarranged to illuminate the photocatalytic particle during deviceoperation.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein a material of thephotocatalytic particle is selected from the group consisting of metaloxides, metal oxide alloys, TiO₂, Bi₂O₃, WO₃, ZnO, FeO, SnO, SiO₂, dopedTiO₂ particles, and intrinsic TiO₂ particles.
 18. The system of claim13, wherein: the fiber further comprises a magnetic particle on aportion thereof distal the first end; and the agitator imparts a varyingmagnetic field around the fiber that applies an electromagnetic force tothe magnetic particle to oscillate the fiber between the first andsecond positions.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the agitatorcomprises a fan that creates movement of fluid into contact with thefiber.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the fibrous media furthercomprises a second fiber having a corresponding first end fixed to thefilter and a corresponding second end freely movable within the path offluid travel between a corresponding first position and a correspondingsecond position by the agitator.